Class of ’59

October 2013

Dear Classmates,

It’s time for our fall newsletter—where did summer go? Much of this letter may look familiar to those of you who receive email. Our president, Jerry Hoffman, has done a wonderful job this summer of emailing news to you in a more timely fashion than our two newsletters and the Quarterlies provide. So—on with the news—whether reruns or fresh!

Sadly, we report that four classmates died since the last newsletter. Deone Nordquist Cartford died April 3, Nancy Anderson Guber died May 24, Stan Jurgenson, January 3 and Curtis Nelson x59 April 2.

Larry Cartford wrote this spring, “Life is sure different now. I’m with Jane (daughter) now as Emma graduates from 8th grade. A bit about Deone. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1989, she had surgery, was on chemo for over a year and the cancer went into remission. She lived a normal life for many years. Each summer after teaching she led international tours, usually one per year. With that we have been to 90 countries and on all seven continents. Then in 2004 the cancer returned, we were in Arizona at the time so we went to Mayo Clinic there. She had excellent care between Mayo and the hospital in Oshkosh during the summers. The chemo kept the cancer in remission until a year ago then it returned with a vengeance and could not be controlled. They increased and changed the chemo but not good results. The entire family was with her for 10 days and when they d left Arizona I had to take her to the hospice care center, as I could no longer care for her. She died three days later, she slept away, never had any pain. She taught for 35 years and loved her children each day. Her life was rewarding with her care and with the love of her daughters, grandchildren and friends.”

Nancy Anderson Guber was married to her husband Albert for 52 years. She and her family resided in Boalsburg, PA for 48 years where she served Harris Township as tax collector for 15 years as well as serving on local community and political committees. She was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in State College, PA. Nancy and her husband moved to Virginia in 2010 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Nancy was born in Bloomington, IL; received a BA in 1959 from Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois in 1961. Nancy was an avid golfer and received national recognition when both she and her playing partner posted holes-in-one on the same hole in a national competition. She was also a recipient of numerous golfing and bowling awards. She loved sports in general and attended or ardently followed Penn State University and Pittsburgh sports teams’ events. In addition to her husband, her daughter, Lisa D’Albis; son, Albert Lynn and five grandchildren survive Nancy.

Stan Jurgenson went from Gustavus to Lutheran School of Theology in Rock Island, IL and then received his master’s degree from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. His doctoral work was completed through the Veterans’ Administration as a chaplain of over 35 years. He was honored to serve as a chief chaplain in the VA. Stan was married to Barbara Harlow and had four children and four grandchildren.

Curtis Nelson x59 worked as a realtor and appraiser in St.Paul. He also dabbled in OTR and school bus driving.

Ronald Johnson’s wife, Lorene (Johnson ’60) reports that Ron has moved from Tennessee to an assisted living home in Valparaiso, IN. Lorene will join him as soon as she sells their home and says goodbye to many friends. One of their sons, Gary, lives in Valparaiso.

Warren Woods helped contact a number of classmates. The following are his reports.

Ron Hawkinson. Shortly after college graduation and seminary, Ron married his high school sweetheart Ellen and lived in Worthington, MN. Several years later, Ron took another career path and became a social worker. He moved to Center City next to a lake where they have resided for more than 40 years. Ron’s passions are clogging and Irish Step Dancing, where he and his troupe have performed at the state and county fairs. He enjoys fishing and when Warren talked with him he was planning to go ice fishing at Lake Winnibigoshish. Ron and Ellen have 3 children, 3 grandchildren and are members of Chisago Lakes Lutheran Church. In another note from Ron, he mentioned that his granddaughter graduated from Gustavus this June. He also volunteers with the Park Rangers in Center City. They plant and care for the gardens around town.

Roger Peterson. After graduation, Roger went on to gain a master’s degree in math at Purdue University. He taught high school math for one year at Silverway before transferring to Sibley in West St Paul where he remained until he retired in 1993. Roger and his wife, Ruth, have four sons whose families are frequently visitors at their summer lake place between Bemidji and Blackjack. For many years they are snowbirds who winter in the Florida panhandle. Both are active church members in Minnesota and Florida. Ruth has been leading a women’s Bible study for more than 35 years. Roger enjoys fishing and reading—his latest being, “Killing Lincoln.”

Allen Peterson. The man from Swea City, IA, attended Gustavus for the first two years. He became an engineer and worked for 31 years with Unisys and then for 5 years with 3M. Al and his wife Mavis have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. In the recent past, they did a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas. Al’s hobbies are electronics and genealogy where he has been able to trace family history back 500 years.

Jerry Ostrom. Jerry was employed with the U.S. Forestry Department for 40 years. Jerry and his wife, Judy, have two daughters in Duluth and one who lives in Eden Prairie. They have three grandchildren. Jerry’s hobby is gardening. He and Judy do not do much traveling beyond the borders of Minnesota—usually traveling to visit their daughters’ families. In a conversation with Lois Madsen Allen, Jerry said he would be the most fit man at the reunion as he walks at 6 a.m. every morning followed by stretches. His greatest joy is when he is with his grandchildren.

John Pearson. John transferred to Gustavus as a sophomore and took an active role particularly as a photographer and as a choir member. After graduation, he went on to pursue a master’s degree at Boston University in public relations. He then was employed at Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL where he met and married Carol. Several years later, they moved to Lindsborg, KS where he became the director of public relations for alumni affairs at Bethany College. John and Carol raised two sons – Jay and Clay- and one daughter—Lynn and they have six grandchildren. John is active in his church and Kiwanis. John and Carol will be traveling to Sweden and parts of Europe this fall.

Bruce Abrahamson. Bruce was at Gustavus for his freshman year before transferring. He roomed with Bob Sandberg as they both came from Monticello. He acquired his DDS degree and practiced dentistry for his entire career. His son became a dentist as well. Bruce’s passion is farming and the family owns a 24-acre spread near Monticello, though he still makes his home in New Hope, MN.

Myron “Woody”Wahlstrand. It was about 10 years ago that I was able to track Woody down. He and his wife, Sue, live in Modesto, CA. He attended Gustavus the first two years and then went into the military service. After discharge and marriage, he gained a BA degree in psychology and a minor in English. They owned a bookstore and hosted an Ezra Pound Conference in 1988. Woody’s passion is reading—especially poetry. He seldom travels outside California.

Steve Johnson. After graduation in 1959, Steve and three of our classmates including Bob Olson and Clyde Rensted were employed at 3M where he remained until retirement. He and Helen (Hannover ’60) have three children and six grandchildren. At various times they have traveled to all 50 states. Steve’s hobbies are fishing and hunting. Much of that occurs at their lake place near Hayward, WI.

Herb Johnson, Lindsborg, KS. Nancy (Lindstrom ’61), Herb’s wife, recently sent this email letter. She gave us permission to include it in our class news.

“Dear Family and Friends, What a week this has been! We had 2 –200 year rains within 4 days and severe flooding. About 130 homes in our little town (Lindsborg, KS) were flooded in various amounts, and ours, unfortunately was among them. The water came up as far as our basement ceiling, and we lost most everything there. I was down there when I thought I heard water running, so I went to the guest room, and water was pouring in thru a hole which was knocked thru a window. While I was standing there, the entire window blew, then the one in the next bedroom, then the family room. Within 2 hours, we were up to the top step.

We had a town meeting last night to get information on what exactly to do, and we found out the water surge was a 3 foot wall which hit our homes with a powerful force. Since we live in the middle of a non-flood plain (dry central Kansas), none of us had flood insurance, which you can only get from the government. Everyone on our block has different insurance agents, and none of us will get any monetary compensation—bummer.

Many of the homes had sewage backup—up to 3 feet of nasty sludge, but we were blessed with only dirty water. Our son, Martin, daughter Carrie and husband Rod, and granddaughter Sammy were here the next day to help pump us out. Then the high school kids mobilized with one of the coaches—35 in number, and we were the first house at which they volunteered. I stood outside the garage and told the line as they came up the basement stairs to put it in the “pitch pile” or the “save pile.” Those kids worked like Trojans all day, and then they tore into the sheetrock and took it all down, along with all of the saturated carpet. We had ceiling tiles, which, when they were touched by water, disintegrated into 1 inch pieces. The pumping detail was a little dicey with all of the pillows I had on beds and couches which kept plugging up the pumps. The county brought in the huge commercial dumpsters, one in front of our house, and we filled it full just from our house. Most of the furniture became matchsticks. We were able to save most of the photo albums, which were totally soaked. They were taken to our son’s house. Our daughter-in-law called in a crew, set up 10 long tables around their house, years of marriage. I cried a lot of tears when they took out and threw away Herb’s entire library. My sewing machines and equipment were gone. The boys were going nuts when they got to my sewing area, because the thread kept unwinding from multiple spools, and they got all tangled up in it!

The community has been SO WONDERFUL—people I didn’t even know came up and offered to do laundry. I had a ton of it since we were able to save a lot of sewing fabric. We had free DPT shots from the local hospital today. Our neighbors across the street served sandwiches and fixings at noon and pizza at night for 50+ people for 3 days for our immediate neighborhood. We stayed with them for several nights before we were able to get a new hot water heater and our air conditioner replaced and up and running. It has been super muggy, mosquito ridden, and hot 90-100 degrees. It’s been a steam bath outside, and not so great inside until we got our air conditioner restored. The Red Cross has been by every day to bring cleaning supplies, paper towels, brooms, etc. I cannot say enough for them. We had people from church helping us wash items we could save. Kids from the high school were to bring around bottled water and muffins today, and the hospital served hot dogs after we got our shots.

We are so blessed!!! And I am especially thankful that this didn’t happen last year when I was sick while going through chemotherapy. Another blessing is that while half of the households had nasty sewage, we did not.

God is good! We are doing okay, although I have an occasional meltdown. I know that really surprises many of you who know that I can weep at the drop of a hat! But really, we are fine and very thankful that we are not as badly affected as some people!

Love, Herb and Nancy Johnson

We certainly hope that by the time you read this, that order and life has been restored to you. Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us.

Marv Larson writes, “I was a Lutheran pastor for 32 years. I served in Herman, Detroit Lakes, Alexandria, and Afton. In 1995, I retired and moved back to Alexandria where we enjoy being with friends and volunteering in different community events. I will be celebrating 50 years of ordination this June 6. We enjoy traveling and just finished a trip to the Panama Canal this February. We have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.”

Roy Harley moved to Red Wing in 1966 when he began work with Lutheran Social Services. Before that he was with Hennepin County corrections in a Special Projects Unit. While with LSS, Roy held many titles and 32 years as South Vice President. Retirement time is spent volunteering with Minnesota Region 10, Quality Assurance Program, Southeast Minnesota Workforce Development, First Lutheran Church, SCORE mentor and works at a local marina in the summer. Fishing, hunting and camping get him going on free days. He spent a week in Canada and by now has been on a men’s canoe trip out of Ely. He and his wife have two children and five grandchildren. Their daughter lives in Texas, so that is an annual trip. Their son lives in Apple Valley so he gets to hunt and fish with him and a grandson.

Donna Seaberg Madden has had three careers and loves working so much that she’s still working. After Gustavus, Donna taught math for four years which she didn’t enjoy, but put up with it until she got a job teaching for the Army in Germany. She loved Germany but hated teaching—but she did meet her husband there—he was in the service—and they ended up in San Francisco. There she landed a job with United Air Lines as their first female programmer in data processing and retired 25 years later. Then she went into real estate and is still doing that. She and her husband have been married 48 years and have two children. They were able to travel the world due to her work with United. Their kids now live in Europe. Their daughter met her husband while teaching in Ecuador and they now have taught in International Schools in Tanzania, Milan, Costa Rica and Geneva. Their 10-year-old daughter speaks Italian, Spanish and French. Donna’s son was sent to the Netherlands by his company and married a Dutch girl. They have 2 daughters, ages 2 and 4. Donna and her husband spend January and February in their condo in Kauai since the Bay Area is chilly those months and the real estate grinds to a halt.

Brad Johnson wrote me last June. He went to medical school after graduating from Gustavus. Then he was drafted into the Navy/Marine Corps and ended up in Vietnam. He then spent 30 years as a family doc at the Golden Valley Clinic and then 10 years doing small town fill in and urgent care work. He retired the end of 2007. He’s been married to Audrey for 52 years and they have two sons and four grandkids. He had bladder cancer for 6 or 7 years and a cancerous kidney removed two years ago. He recently ran out of treatment options for the bladder so had the bladder and prostate removed last April. He stated that he’s gaining strength and, “the good news is that I am one of the very few old guys who don’t have to get up at night.” (I like his spirit and optimism)

Susan Hansen retired from Cheboygan Hospital Medical Transcription Department in September 2009 and moved to a condo in the wetlands area of South Lyon, MI, west of Detroit. She begins her days with meditation, reading and journaling. Her hobbies are writing, walking and taking classes in Ann Arbor. Susan published a book of photos and poetry—Nature’s Voices. She is now taking a poetry class and a class on Ayn Rand and is active in a writing group and teaches occasional writing workshops. She attends a small Lutheran storefront mission church where she occasionally plays keyboard. Her family now consists of her cat, Debbie, a calico. Her two sons and a daughter live with their spouses and eight grandchildren in the Detroit area. She also has a daughter who lives with her husband near Austin, TX. Her travels take her to Marquette and Cheboygan, MI, Texas and Minnesota. Still on her “bucket list” is a trip to New Mexico for a possible writing course with Natalie Goldberg and a trip to London.

Robert Swenson worked for 40 years as a chemist for the same company. It was originally Tomah Products but then was acquired by Air Products & Chemicals in 2006. He retired in January 2010 at age 72. Bob lives in Janesville, WI, in a house he and Ann built in 1969. Ann passed away in 2011. They have a daughter and granddaughter who live in Janesville. Bob gets out of bed in the morning because his cat needs to be fed. Once a week he has breakfast with long-time friends and once a month has a 7:30 a.m. board meeting. Bob’s hobby used to be 3D photography but an accident caused loss of depth perception. He still likes travel and has seen five total solar eclipses. The last one was in August 2008 from northwestern China. The next will be in the USA on August 21, 2017 when most of us will be 80. He hopes to see it. Bob is on two boards—the Janesville Concert Association and Janesville Performing Arts Center. He is also active in his Eastern Orthodox Church in Madison, WI. Bob reads and recommends the book, “1493” by Charles Mann and usually takes in a movie each week. Last March he went on a cruise from Hawaii to Tahiti and he still hopes to get to New Zealand and India.

Marie Munson Rutter retired from teaching school in all levels of education from grade 1 to University Remedial English. These days she gets out of bed because she will have a “beautiful breakfast made by my husband.” They live in a log house about 45 km west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Marie’s family includes her husband Nat, who is a retired geology professor at the University of Alberta; son, Todd, caterer, skier, sailor, his wife, Karen, terrific mom of Karleen (13) and Jed (10); son Chris, builder, computer whiz and his wife Jennifer, nurse.

Marie is active in Women’s Institute, Parkland Quilter’s Guild and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Her quilting hobby is also her “vocation.” Other pursuits consist of traveling, reading and gardening. Travels this year took her to Stratford Theater Festival in Ontario, Seattle, southwestern states, Florida, Belize, Kelowna and Nanaimo, British Columbia. She still hopes to get to Iceland. The authors she enjoys are Alice Munroe, Robertson Davies and Margaret Laurence. She also recommends Ken Follett’s World Without End and Richard Ford’s Canada.

John Bold and Cherie experienced a cruise from New Brunswick to Quebec recently following meeting Scottish relatives in New York City. One of their daughters lives there also. John is working with Paul Tillquist ʼ63 to promote giving to Gustavus as part of your legacy.

Bill St.Clair in Tulare, SD, retired from farming ten years ago. He and his wife have a daughter in Sioux Falls and a son in California. Bill has maintained his interest in old cars. They have traveled to Peru, China and Spain—probably others too—just couldn’t name them all.

Liz Sandquist Brown responded to Jerry’s survey and wrote: “I retired from 40 years of teaching/subbing. The alarm gets me out of bed in the morning because I am too exhausted to trust myself. That is because I live each day to the fullest.” Her family consists of a brother who is the only one left of her siblings. She has two daughters, their hubbies and five grandkids. She is active in church, Retired Teachers, Red Hats, Literary Club, my Association SCMR and COPS.

The TV show she doesn’t like to miss is “The Chew.” Within the last year she has traveled to Minnesota, California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Louisiana and Canada. She will visit Niagara Falls next year with her daughters and take it off her “bucket list”.

Lynda Johnson Minnick lives in Chicago with her husband Mac. They love it there though trips to Minnesota to connect with family and friends are frequent. They thoroughly enjoy good movies, book discussions, concerts and plays so easily accessed via the train. For Lynda, power walking in their area and hiking on trips are priorities. She looks forward to each day because they are filled with so many possibilities and so little time. “No day is long enough.” Lynda retired July 2002 from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Mission program where she served as the liaison between the ELCA and Lutheran churches in east Africa, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Though she no longer travels for work, she has not lost the travel bug. She went on river cruises from Moscow to St. Petersburg and Budapest to Prague in the last couple years. This fall it will be in the Greek Isles and Turkey in the “Footsteps of the Apostle Paul.” She is active in outreach and global mission activities of her congregation as well as choir—a weekly highlight. Gardening brings her great joy and in addition to her personal garden she volunteers with the Evening Island team.

Allegra “Lee” Nelson Olson taught physical education, health education and human physiology in Winona, Rochester, Bloomington and Poway, CA. She earned a ME.d. degree from University of Idaho. She and her husband, Larry, were married in 1981, moved to San Diego, CA, in 1986 due to a job transfer. She has three stepsons and six step grandchildren, three of which live in Minnesota and three live near Brighton, England—which explains their travel plans. She does get back to St. Peter as she has a sister who lives there. Lee’s favorite hobby is quilting and is involved in a quilting guild at her church—Penasquitos Lutheran Church. She also loves bicycling. In summary, Lee says, “Like most retired people I’m busier than ever! How did I ever work?”

Floie Vane retired from Hoffmann-LaRoche pharmaceutical company in New Jersey in 1997 after 33 years of service. Floie retired to Washington state as her sister and brother and their families are there. In February, she moved to the independent section of The Kenney, a continuing care retirement community in West Seattle. She’s enjoying the social life there, the convenient bus ride (75 cents) to downtown Seattle, and a whole new area to explore. She is “church shopping.” Her main hobby is genealogy that at times is addictive. Within the last year, she spent Christmas at the Grand Canyon in Arizona and hopes to explore more of the Southwest. Iceland and New Zealand are on her “bucket list.” She gets out of bed in the morning so her joints don’t solidify—Floe seems very active as she enjoys hiking, cross country skiing, going to museums, driving trips and attending plays and concerts.

Len Brown spent a week in Hawaii as a chaperone for the Grand Rapids High School band. They played at Pearl Harbor and marched in two parades, one was the 50th anniversary of the Merrie Monarch parade in Hilo. They went to a luau and spent time on the beach. Len and his wife have continued as the band booster treasurers ever since 1994 when their girls were in the band. They have now chaperoned seven trips. There is a major trip every three years. In addition, Len volunteers at the Food Bank twice a month, drives for Elder Circle and the American Cancer Society. He also umpires at some high school and junior college softball and baseball games. Last fall they traveled to Nashville, Smokey Mountains and Kentucky.

Duane Aldrich and his wife, Barb, live in Willmar. He retired from the insurance business on October 1, 1999. These days a good cup of coffee gets him out of bed. Duane and Barb have three daughters and eight grandchildren. As a sports fan he doesn’t like to miss the Vikings football games nor the Minnesota Twins. Last year they traveled to Alaska and have a desire to travel to Europe. Duane enjoys golf, fishing, summer and fall in Minnesota.

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Greg Bergeron helped contact some classmates and this is his report.

Jack Arthur is a retired biologist living at Lake Nebagamon, WI, and reports enjoying life. He plans to attend the next reunion.

Charles Johnson is currently taking chemotherapy for a rare blood disease that was just recently diagnosed. Greg and Charles talked at length comparing their two churches lutefisk dinners and are issuing invitations for everyone to come. Greg’s is in Anoka and Charles’ is in Cambridge.

Harvey Kienholz has lived at the same address for 50 years. He has been retired from teaching since 1993. Greg discovered that he probably broadcast some of Harvey’s athletic events at Spring Lake Park High School in the Skyline Conference. Harvey has a summer place at Mille Lacs Lake, but states the fishing has been slow this summer.

Dick Lindholm is recovering from knee replacement surgery but is still planning to coach girl’s basketball which he has been doing for more than 20 years.

Dennis Anderson responded to Jerry’s survey. Dennis retired from the presidency of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in November of 2001. Then he flunked retirement and worked four years with the Board of Pensions, ELCA. He completed an interim at First Lutheran in Lincoln, NE, in May and has pronounced, “That is it! No more flunking retirement. Oh yes, I still do strategic planning consultations for churches and not-for-profits!” Dennis and his “wonderful wife Barbara” live on a beautiful golf course overlooking the western hills of the city. Dennis described his family as “a bunch of talented folks.” Their daughter is a law school grad active in public policy and married to a Lutheran pastor in Lincoln; one son is a graduate student at Northwestern University, and another son is a cardio-thoracic surgeon living in Atlanta with his wife who is an active tennis player and mom to three children. Dennis started to paint using acrylics this past year—“it’s a wonderful new experience—it gives me new problems to solve.”

Barbara Flueger Jackson retired in February 2005 as chemistry supervisor for the HealthEast System. Her office was at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul and served all of the hospitals. Her husband, Carl, had retired earlier from 3M. They have two sons and four grandchildren. They currently live in Woodbury.

Weldon “Jake” Jacobson’s wife, Ellen (Anderson ’57), wrote for Jake as he had a massive stroke in September 2011 while attending a granddaughter’s soccer game. He is living in assisted living to this day and Ellen visits him daily. Jake had worked for Green Giant-Pillsbury for 27 years in the marketing department. Frozen corn on the cob, mushrooms and little peas were his special accomplishments. Jake retired in 1989 the same year Ellen retired from teaching. They spent many years traveling in and out of the country but stayed closer to home as grandchildren started participating in sports. Jake and Ellen have two children, Dawn and Jon, and five grandchildren. Two grandsons are in the military and one grandson is captain of the University of Minnesota track team. He runs the mile under four minutes. One granddaughter is attending a local junior college while working two jobs and the other granddaughter is a high school sophomore who plays soccer and hockey.

Jeanette Westberg Johnston and Cameron ʼ60 (better known as Scooter)live in Moscow, Idaho. Their son, Eric, was married there last September involving the whole family. Scooter married them, Jeanette made the kransakke cake, their daughters and granddaughter were in the wedding and all the reception food was made by friends and family. Jeanette and Scooter keep busy with the five grandchildren and their activities. Jeanette is the “reading grandma” at their church pre-school. Scooter has taken up painting again. Jeanette’s motto is “do whatever you can, when you can!” And she is so thankful for what she is still able to do.

Connie Ostrom Lund has managed a Christian bookstore along with painting country pillows and speaking to women’s groups over the years. She and Roger ’57 live in Olympia, WA and have four sons, one daughter and 10 grandchildren all living close by. Connie and Roger don’t travel much as everyone they love lives near by although they did attend grandson, Andy’s wedding at the VonTrapp Lodge in Stowe, VT. They are active in their church and you can find Connie at garage sales, meeting friends at Starbucks or reading.

Jeanette Reinke Carlson married Al ’58 after graduation from Gustavus. She had a short career as the 12th grade English teacher and journalism while advising the newspaper. Four daughters arrived within six years. Eighteen years later, she returned to the classroom in Grove City teaching 9th grade English and math, 11th grade social studies and 2nd year German. That career lasted one year. Jeanette had been on the United Way board as a volunteer and when the position opened up, she became the executive director. Her office was in the chamber of commerce building and before long, Jeanette was assisting six other organizations with their memberships, bookkeeping, agendas, and minutes. Then in 1986 a pubic relations specialist/foundation director position was created at the Willmar Technical College and Jeanette was chosen for the job. There she marketed programs, edited a newsletter, raised money, and awarded scholarships. In the meantime, Alan sold his oil business and they became the owners of a resort on Nest Lake just west of Spicer and Green Lake. That was ten years of hard but rewarding work. They sold the resort in 2001 and retired to Willmar and live in a town home on the 4th tee of the Eagle Creek Golf Course. Their four daughters live within driving distance—Victoria an RN in Rochester, Melanie in Richmond works in a bank, Kathy in Burnsville has a home office working for an insurance company and Nancy ʼ89 is a major in the Army Reserve in Tomah, WI. Nancy was the only child to attend Gustavus. Between them they have eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Jeanette is active in her church where she sings in the choir, serves with the altar unit and counts special funds as they come in. She is a member of AAUW and is currently co-president.

When their children were growing up, the family did downhill skiing in Minnesota and in Colorado until Jeanette broke her leg at Keystone in 2000. She now knits afghans, reads and at age 75 took up quilting by hand. Her current project was an entry in the Kandiyohi County Fair in August. (How did that turn out?) In retirement, Jeanette and Al have traveled a lot---Bogota, Columbia, Lutherland, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy in Europe; Costa Rica to Panama city via the Panama Canal, Puerta Vallarta and Puerto Rico; Hawaii and the Caribbean in Aruba, St. Maarten, and Jamaica; Alaska; from St. Petersburg to Moscow on the Volga River; and to their time share in Palm Desert, CA. Their Siamese cat, Tippy, can only stay home alone for two weeks at a time—otherwise, I think they’d be on the road even more!

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Lois Madsen Allen helped with phone calls and here is what she heard.

Ann Hendrickson finally sold her cottage on Green Lake. It was a difficult decision but due to health issues, Ann was unable to use it any more. Now her many friends come to visit her in Wauwatosa, WI.

Donna Olson Olson lives in Lake Park. Many years ago she was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome but with treatment was in remission for a time. It returned this last year and will have to have treatments five days out of every month.

Barbara Endersbe Wallin thoroughly enjoys retirement with her grandchildren. Jerry has some health issues, which keep them fairly close to home, but Barbara does travel with her daughters for vacations.

Bob Sandberg lives in Bountiful, UT. He stays in touch with his brother in Monticello and keeps updated on MIAC news. Health problems keep him confined to his home. He went to the Mayo Clinic in 2008 and although his problem looks like Parkinson’s—it’s not. His wife died of cancer so Bob now gets assistance from a woman and her children who live in the lower level of his home. Bob is thankful that football season is here and he can cheer for his BYU team and others on the west coast.

Don Tiegs graduated with us but never spent a single night on campus. He and his wife Corrine are from LeSueur. They just celebrated their 64th high school reunion and in September will celebrate their 62nd anniversary. After graduation, Don worked for Firestone in Rochester and Worthington. He then bought his own store in Ortonville where they stayed. After 35 years, Don sold the business to his employees. In retirement, he keeps busy mowing grass at the local country club as well as his own. They have a son in Coralville, IA, a daughter who teaches in Ortonville and a son who was just named chief of police in Morris.

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Warren Woods contacted more classmates -- here’s what he found.

Myron Anderson was a member of our class for his first two years before transferring to the University of Minnesota. He received his teaching degree and subsequently taught science most of it at Spring Lake Park High School. He and his wife have 5 children and 13 grandchildren. Through the years they have traveled to many of our national parks as well as visiting Nepal and seeing the Himalayans. His hobby at an earlier age was running cross-country.

Dick Faye attended Gustavus for 2 ½ years. While there he was a member of the football team and the OK fraternity. Then marriage, children and work took on a priority for him canceling any thoughts about returning to school. Dick marketed sporting goods with his territory being the Midwest. Dick and Phyllis have two children and five grandchildren. Through the years they have traveled to Hawaii 16 times. In his younger days, Dick enjoyed downhill skiing.

Orv Johnson was a class member for his first two years taking pre-engineering courses. He transferred to the University of Minnesota for his engineering degree. He and another fellow formed a partnership in a small engineering company. This, years later resulted in having a larger company acquire the firm. He remained an employee. Vacation and work travels led him to India and Africa. He and his wife recently went to Sweden. They have four children and eleven grandchildren. Hobbies include volunteering.

Bill Johnson was a member of our class for his first two years. He interrupted his education for a period of time and then returned to Gustavus graduating with the class of 1966. Bill had a stroke about 12 years ago. Prior to that he had worked for three separate employers with the Lund’s grocery stores. They have two children and four grandchildren, two of whom live with Bill and Sheila. Since Bill’s stroke, their travel has been limited. His hobbies are primarily reading and watching sports on TV

Nancy Oman Ward has moved back to Minnesota and reportedly is living in Minneapolis. Nancy—give us a call and give us a phone number and/or email contact. We’d love to hear from you.

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Carol Miller Hammarberg is finally working one day a week and has found time to talk with classmates. Here’s what she heard.

Joyce Miller Biagini has been retired since 2000 and has been married to Daniel Quiros for four years and has added a family of 5 children and 6 grandchildren. They have a home in Maplewood and also in Costa Rica. Joyce volunteers at her church and plays either a washboard or teapots in a Kitchen Band—quite a change from Gustavus orchestra days. Her life is filled with travel to interesting places.

Emilie Johnson Lokensgard is very pleased that her granddaughter from Cody, WY, Taylor Martin, is a freshman at Gustavus and on the women’s volleyball team.

Pat McLane Olson and Richard ’58 are unable to travel as they had when Richard was with State Farm Insurance as they are both experiencing serious health issues. Fortunately, they have two children in the area who are able to help and many Gustie friends too.

Jim Vanasek is still playing baseball with the older crowd and is a pitcher manager. His team, the Express, played in Minnesota last year in the Jordan and New Prague areas. Jim lives in Sun City, CA.

John Scherer joined our class after graduating from high school in 1951, marrying his high school sweetheart and serving in the military. He wasn’t involved at Gustavus since he had 2 children at the time. They now have 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. John retired from the Minnesota Community College System where he had been an associate dean supervising the instructional portion of the college. This was to be a temporary fill-in administrative position that developed into 21 years at 4 different colleges. Prior to that he taught high school and then college English. After retirement, John built two homes in the Andover area where he lives. They also have a home in Venice, Florida.

Sharon Booth Warmuth was at Gustavus for two years and then transferred to the University of Minnesota and graduated in education. She is now retired and she and her husband continue to live in Minneapolis. Sharon is involved in dog rescues.

Jerry Hoffman and Joan (Miller ʼ61)just returned from a trip to Russia with the Gustavus group as well as his seminary class reunion.

Jerry and I thank everyone who took time to let us know what is keeping them busy. We look forward to seeing all of you at the 55th reunion on May 30-31, 2014.

Carol Johnson Heyl

1959 Communications Chair

Campus News

Gustavus Library Associates - A Royal Affair

On Saturday, November 16, Gustavus Library Associates (GLA) will host its 18th biennial benefit...A Royal Affair. More than 500 guests are expected to attend this gala dinner/auction benefit at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. Realized proceeds are designated for the GLA endowment of the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library.